Prishtina, 23 May, 2023
Today, the first working meeting for the drafting of the State Strategy against Corruption was held, which was opened by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Albin Kurti.
“We want the establishment of a society that shows zero tolerance to corruption, zero tolerance to bribery, and contracts in exchange for money”, was the first sentence that Prime Minister Kurti emphasized to highlight the Index of Transparency International, which according to it is a good indicator of the Government’s success in fighting corruption.
In front of those present at this event, the Prime Minister said that the increase of 20 places higher in relation to past practices proves the will of a responsible Government for a better life for citizens.
“The lack of corruption in the Government, the improvement in the field of rule of law, have also influenced the economic development. Our citizens have believed this, which they have witnessed with the massive voting for changes in the last parliamentary elections”, he said.
We are transforming this trust, the prime minister added, into results that show that the public official works for the public and not to enrich himself or someone else privately, while meritocracy, law and clear and transparent rules become basic working principles of a serious, professional and accountable administration.
“Corruption, as we all know, has hurt our society for a long time, undermining democratic institutions, citizens’ trust, but also our progress as a country”, declared the Prime Minister, who said that today they gathered to fulfill the promise and the responsibility given to them, to draft the State Strategy against Corruption, thus paving the way to a society freed from corruption.
The Interministerial Commission will be led by Minister Murati, and will consist of Minister Rizvanolli, Minister Haxhiu and Minister Sveçla, who will be in constant contact with the working group and will prioritize the work in drafting the Strategy.
In this regard, the Prime Minister expressed his trust in them as, as he pointed out, they represent the highest governmental level in the field of finance and economy, justice and internal affairs.
Minister Murati said that today we are marking an important day in our ongoing efforts to fight corruption in Kosovo as we have promised, emphasizing that as the Minister of Finance, Labor and Transfers he has the honor of chairing the inter-ministerial group for the implementation of this strategy.
In this meeting, in addition to the representatives of the Government, the heads of various state agencies and representatives of civil society organizations were also present.
Prime Minister Kurti’s complete speech:
Thank you Tea,
Dear Ministers, Murat e Rizvanolli, and Sveçla,
Dear leaders of the institutions of the Agencies of our state, customs, TAK, Anti-Corruption Agency,
Dear representatives of civil society,
Ladies and gentleman,
Today we open together the first working meeting for the drafting of the State Strategy against Corruption. We want the establishment of a society that shows zero tolerance to corruption, zero tolerance to bribery, and contracts in exchange for money.
Transparency International’s index is a good indicator of the Government’s success in fighting corruption. The increase for 20 places higher in relation to past practices proves the will of a responsible Government for a better life for citizens. The lack of corruption in the Government, the improvement in the field of rule of law, have also influenced the economic development. Our citizens have believed this, which they have witnessed with the massive vote for changes in the last parliamentary elections. We are turning this belief into results that show that the public official works for the public and not to enrich himself or someone else privately, while meritocracy, law and clear and transparent rules become the basic principles of the work of a serious, professional and accountable administration.
During the two-year government, we have shown tangible results in the fight against organized crime and smuggling, which has resulted in the arrest of over 3,200 people, of which over 300 are public officials, and 38 arrested only in the case of misuse of subsidies. We are continuing the reform with the vetting of high positions in the judicial and prosecutorial system, and the fight against unjustified wealth with the State Bureau for Confiscation of Assets. The delay in the results that could be counted even today with these powerful tools against official corruption, falls under the responsibility of the opposition parties that wrap up the obstruction of any reform addressed to the Constitution. But, the citizens trusted us with a vote of change, we will bring this change.
Corruption, as we all know, has hurt our society for a long time, undermining democratic institutions, citizens’ trust, but also our progress as a country. However, today we have gathered to fulfill the commitment and responsibility given to us, to draft the State Strategy against Corruption, thus paving the way to a society freed from corruption.
It is our duty to, through institutional reform and proposals for supplementing or changing the legal framework, preserve the natural wealth, the state budget, ensure transparency in the work of institutions by strengthening the declaration of wealth for all public officials and creating a legal infrastructure for disclosure of ultimate beneficiaries.
In particular, we must turn our attention to public procurement and ensure that every irresponsible company is blacklisted, and we hold all relevant public procurement actors from boards to procurement officers fully accountable for all actions and decisions made.
We are obliged to create an environment where public officials act on the basis of the highest ethical standards, where abuse of official duties is punished in a fair and efficient manner, based on the law and not on personal whims, and where the judicial and prosecutorial system is stripped of any kind of political influence, and acts only on the basis of the personal conscience and professional training of the judge and prosecutor, on the basis of which the public is judged. The citizen’s voice must be heard by everyone, and this means dedication to duty, action based on the law, humility and efficiency against arrogance.
Education and raising awareness play an important role in the fight against corruption. Our citizens, and especially the youth, must be equipped with knowledge and values that cultivate a culture of integrity. Through the development of civil responsibility and ethical behavior, we empower the new generations to become torchbearers of positive and progressive changes.
The success of the Strategy will depend on the dedication and commitment of all actors. Civil society, the private sector and independent media hold us accountable and ensure transparency. I invite the same to participate in every meeting of the working group and give their contribution to the finalization of the Strategy.
The Interministerial Commission led by Minister Murati, and composed of Minister Rizvanolli, Minister Haxhiu and Minister Sveçla, will be in constant contact with the working group and will prioritize the work in the drafting of the Strategy. I have faith in them because they represent the highest government level in the field of finance and economy, justice and internal affairs. These will draft the document that will reflect our collective ambition – that is, they will draft the Strategy that will enable the transformation of the institutions into those of good governance, with transparency and integrity.
Thank you.
Last modified: May 24, 2023